People lose limbs for a variety of reasons. Traumatic injuries are often the first cause to come to mind, but you may need an amputation as a result of circulation problems associated with diabetes, arterial damage stemming from atherosclerosis, tissue damage due to cancer and birth defects. After surgery to remove the affected appendage, you're often inundated with a lot of information. Some of it pertains to your diet and nutrition.
Ideal Body Weight
The first component of diet and nutrition for a double amputation involves ideal body weight. This number is calculated based on height and gender. For a woman, it's 100 lbs. for the first 5 feet and 5 lbs. for each inch over this height. Men use 106 lbs. for the first 5 feet and then another 6 lbs. for each additional inch. From there, you can determine weight range by adding and subtracting 10 percent.
With an amputation, however, a percentage is subtracted based on the type of amputation. The American Dietetic Association explains that losing a leg means a weight reduction of 16 percent, while losing a lower leg means a reduction of 5.9 percent. An arm is 5 percent, whereas a lower arm is 2.3 percent. Losing a foot is 1.5 percent and a hand is 0.7 percent. For example, a 5-foot 8-inch male has an ideal weight range of 139 to 169 lbs. If he lost both lower legs, his ideal body weight is now anywhere between 123 and 149 lbs.
Calories
With the reduction in ideal body weight, it equates to a reduction in your caloric need. Your doctor or dietitian can help determine the number of calories you need to maintain a healthy weight. The National Institutes of Health recommends a caloric intake of 10 calories per pound of ideal body weight for sedentary adults. It isn't uncommon to get less physical activity with this type of injury, especially soon after amputation, so this may be a good starting point for you. As your level of physical activity increases, your body's caloric need does the same, and you may then require roughly 13 calories per pound of ideal body weight. If you get regular physical activity, your caloric need may then increase again to 15 calories per pound of ideal body weight.
Diet
Along with the reduced calories, the diet for someone with a double amputation is basically the same as in people with all of their limbs. You should maintain a well-balanced diet with plenty of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, so incorporate fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains into your eating regimen. You may also need to lower your intake of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, advises the Society of Vascular Surgery, especially when the amputation is a result of peripheral arterial disease. Also referred to as PAD, this condition is the most common cause of amputation. Saturated fat and dietary cholesterol can increase you cholesterol levels, which contributes to the narrowing of the arteries associated with PAD.
Weight Loss
It's also important to note the prevalence of weight loss with amputation. The Amputation Coalition of America explains that substantial weight loss usually occurs with this type of surgical procedure. People find they've lost their appetite after losing a limb. This is only temporary and appetite returns to normal as you heal. At this time, you begin to regain weight and can continue to gain weight beyond your ideal body weight if you don't reduce your caloric intake or increase your level of physical activity.
References
- Catastrophic Injury Resource Center: Amputation Injuries -- Nutrition
- The Amputation Coalition of America: Healthy Living -- A Combination of Diet, Nutrition and Exercise
- RD441.com: Amputees -- How to Determine Ideal Body Weight
- Society for Vascular Surgery: Amputation
- National Institutes of Health: Weight Management
Member Comments